#1303 Junior’s Adventure – Prince Junior’s Idea 

“Haaaaahh?! Wh-What?!” 

The person yelping nonsense noises is the head chef of this kitchen. 
He looks like he’s reached peak confusion upon learning the truth. 

“Why?! I mean... why, Your Excellency?!” 
“Why what?” 

It’s hard to blame him for forgetting how to speak properly. 

Imagine working hard to recruit someone as just another staff member, only for that very person to turn out to be today’s guest of honor. How often does a bizarre situation like that happen? 
It’s like scouting someone as a common foot soldier only to find out they’re actually the greatest military tactician of the century. 

“B-But... Butbutbutbutbutbutbut?!” 

Uh... but-but? 

“But! Why is a prince this good at cooking?! Normally speaking, royalty are supposed to have attendants who feed them bite by bite, right?! And yet he cooks like a professional... Is His Excellency sure this isn’t some giant mistake?!” 
“What era are you living in? Our country is a republic now. Strictly speaking, even as its leader I’m just a regular citizen. My wife cooks at home, too. And I can make simple dishes myself. Like fugu hot pot.” 

...Is that really a simple dish? 

“Besides, his father, Lord Saint, is incredibly well-versed in cooking. There are countless dishes he invented, and many have spread across the world and become staples. He advanced our civilization in so many ways.” 
“S-So many...?!” 
“He’s Lord Saint’s son! Of course Junior can cook!” 

Please don’t praise me that much. 

Personally, I still think I’m nowhere near Dad’s level. 
In a situation like this, he’d come up with some revolutionary idea that would make the whole party cheer. 

“Veil Simulation!” 

Veil suddenly shouts something weird. 

“...In situations like this, Master would probably go, ‘Well, since there are so many people, let’s just do hot pot!’ or something like that.” 

That does sound fun and homey. 

“But then the formal event would instantly turn casual...! And there’s still the issue of the guest of honor not being present!” 

Big Bro Ritheseus lets out a deep, exhausted sigh. 

“Anyway, Junior, go to the banquet hall. If you stay here, this party will 100% fail. Everything made here will become meaningless.” 

Right, of course... 
Sorry, Chef. It looks like you won’t be employing me today. 

“Y-Yes... Of course...” 

The chef trembles like a leaf, face pale. 

He must be that disappointed about not being able to recruit me. 
Sorry. 

“And... what punishment will befall us...?” 

Huh? 

“We unknowingly made a foreign prince work in the kitchen. That’s a crime of disrespect. Please, take only my head and spare the others...!” 
“No! I’m the one who brought him in! Punish me instead!” 
“You idiot! I won’t let a mere trainee take the fall while I run! I’m the head chef! The responsibility is mine!” 

Wow. They’re all going full tragic mode. 

But it’s okay, right? 
This is just a misunderstanding. It shouldn’t go so far as punishment... right?! 

"......” 

Big Bro Ritheseus... 

“We won’t go so far as execution. But they can’t walk away with no consequences. Disrespecting the guest of honor and nearly ruining the event...there must be accountability.” 

Eehhh?! 
No, seriously, this was just an accident...! 

“Accident or not, someone always has to take responsibility. That’s how society works.” 

No... If anyone is at fault here, it’s me.  
I was the only one who knew the truth and did nothing, after all. 

Punishing the uninformed staff feels completely unjust. 

What do I do? 
Should I take all responsibility myself? 
If I take the punishment, maybe theirs will be lighter...? 

“Actually, if this gets blown out of proportion, they will end up shouldering even more responsibility.” 

Veil? 
What’s wrong? 

“If they punish you, the guest of honor, then they’ll have to hand out an even heavier sentence to those nobodies. Otherwise, the Human Kingdom will look like it’s disrespecting the Farm Kingdom. Punishment works like that.” 

No way... My careless actions have turned into something this huge? 
If only I’d held my ground instead of getting swept along... 

No. More than regretting it, what matters now is fixing the situation. 
It’s not over yet. 
I have to figure out a way to make sure everyone gets out of this peacefully, without anyone being punished. 

There has to be something. 
If it were Dad, he’d definitely come up with a brilliant idea at a time like this. 

Dad’s wisdom and creativity, please, dwell in my brain just this once!!! 

I think so hard my head feels like it’s about to start smoking...and finally! A plan! 

“We’re going to the banquet hall.” 
“Huh? Oh, yes, sir!” 

I march forward, and Big Bro Ritheseus and the chefs follow behind me like, “What is happening?” 

“Junior! Junior!” 
“...” 
“That’s the wrong way to the hall! You should’ve turned left at the corner!” 
“?!” 

Right, of course. I can’t navigate like this is my own house. 
Thanks for the guidance. 

Eventually, we reach the correct doors. I fling them open with a bang, and inside is a spacious hall packed with elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen. 
Every pair of eyes turns to me. 

“Greetings, everyone! I’m Junior, son of Lord Saint, visiting from the Farm Kingdom!!!” 

And just like that, the attention intensifies. 

“That’s the star of today's celebration…?!” 
“I couldn’t find him anywhere, so I was starting to wonder...” 
“He looks rather dignified, doesn’t he?” 
“But why all white?” 

They’re murmuring all sorts of things. 

But right now, I care way less about how I look and way more about putting my plan into action. 

“I’m terribly sorry for being late to my own welcome party! But, I have a very good reason. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to explain!” 

As the guest of honor, all I have to do is ask, and they’ll listen. 
Spotlight: secured. 

“Have you all enjoyed the food tonight? Especially the pancakes I personally cooked?” 

A wave of reactions. 

“What? His Highness cooked them himself?” 
“They’re among tonight’s dishes?” 

Yep. Perfect reaction. 

“These pancakes are a popular dessert back in the Farm Kingdom. As a gesture of gratitude for this wonderful reception, I took the liberty of preparing them in advance.” 

It sounds super official. That’s the key. 

“Our kingdom is known for its unique cuisine unlike anywhere else. All of them are creations of my father, beloved by people all over. I wanted to share that excellence with all of you, so...” 

All right. Here comes the important part. 

“I personally requested the use of the royal castle’s kitchen!” 

This is important! Super important! 

“I have taken the liberty of making pancakes! I hope this sparks some interest in our Farm Kingdom!” 

How’s that! 
If there’s a proper-sounding reason behind it, then the kitchen staff won’t have to be punished! 

Offering something in return for hospitality is only natural! 
Which is why I planned this whole pancake project: got permission, used the kitchen, cooked, the whole deal! 

It’s a pretty good idea, right?! 

When did I get permission, you ask? 
Beforehand. Totally beforehand! Right?! C’mon!!! 

“You really smooth-talked your way through that, Junior.” 
“We need you to be at least this slick-tongued before we can relax and leave Master’s future in your hands. 
“Lady Veil… don’t tell me… You stayed silent on purpose to see how Junior would handle this?” 
“I want to help him, sure, but I can’t take away his chance to grow. Platy's been nagging me non-stop about that.” 

Phew. At least my impulsive actions didn’t cause trouble for anyone. 

This is all part of the party. 
So the kitchen staff won’t get chewed out either! 

Still, I should definitely take this as a lesson to not act without thinking in the future.